Birthday Freebies: Beauty Booty to Help You Celebrate

Birthdays are made for kids. Once you're old enough to vote and drink, there are few milestones left that make aging really fun ("Wooo! I get to rent a car!"). While you might not miss being spanked for every year you've lived, or being blindfolded and asked to hit a paper maché donkey with a stick, one downside of grown up birthdays is the lack of loot. Whereas in childhood, you opened present after present, as an adult, you probably instead enjoy some heartfelt cards and a maybe a gift or two. Call me childish, but I think grown ups deserve to get a little spoiled on their birthdays.

Last year, Sara posted ten ways to live it up on your birthday for free. Check out my updated list of birthday freebies from some of your favorite beauty retailers. And, hey--you don't look a day older than whatever-age-is-five-years-younger-than-you-actually-are.

SEPHORA

Become a Beauty Inside (for free), and you are eligible to receive a free birthday gift. In 2010, it's a sweet eye makeup kit. If you go to a physical Sephora, you are eligible for the gift without spending a dime. Online, you can pick it up with purchase. They'll send you a promo code on or close to your birthday. If it's not your birthday, Sephora still gives Beauty Insiders special discounts and a free sample every time you spend $100.

AVEDA

Members of Aveda Pure Privilege program receive a free birthday gift valued at $20 or more every year. While membership costs $10, you are also able to earn points by shopping at Aveda that you can redeem for hair accessories, spa treatments, jewelry and more.

SMASHBOX

Join Smashbox Pretty Points for free and get a free gift during your birthday month. You get a lip gloss, eyeshadow trio, and mascara tucked away in a silver box. You'll receive a code during your birthday month; a purchase may be necessary to redeem this offer.

THE BODY SHOP

Members of the Love Your Body program receive a free birthday gift valued at around $10. Membership is $10, but it includes 10% off most purchases at The Body Shop.

AERIE

Sign up for free with aerie by American Eagle and get a free lipgloss on your birthday.  Just stop by any Thursday during your birthday month pick up your present.

ELF

You can take home a free mini makeup kit from e.l.f. with a $10 purchase. Just subscribe to their email list to get this offer in your inbox on your big day.

PHILOSOPHY

Register with Philosophy and get some birthday booty.  You'll receive your promo code in the mail during your birthday month, and you can redeem it with any $10 order.

Some local spots also offer free birthday gifts. The Transformation Studio in Sugar Land, Texas offers free facials on your birthday week. Glen Ivy Hot Springs spa offers free birthday admission.  YAS (Yoga and Spin) in Los Angeles offers free classes on your birthday. Join BirthdayRegister.com to be sent free birthday gifts from local merchants in the category of your choosing.

Nowhere near your birthday? You can still enjoy this free perfume sample from Lacoste right now. Think of it as your un-birthday present.

And, if after all these free beauty goodies you're feeling like a princess, haul your royal self over to Medieval Times.  Also free on your birthday, Milady.

How do you like to be spoiled on your birthday? Let me know in the comments below!

Annie Mebane is a screenwriter and improviser living in Los Angeles. A veteran Savings.com DealPro and beauty product aficionado, you can catch her blogging about beauty on Wednesdays.